Arab Times

Temer deploys army:

Lat/Am

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Brazilian soldiers deployed Wednesday to defend government buildings in the capital Brasilia after protesters demanding the exit of President Michel Temer smashed their way into ministries and fought with riot police.

“At this moment, federal troops are already here in (the foreign ministry),” Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said in a brief televised statement. “And next there are troops arriving to secure all the ministeria­l buildings.”

Jungmann said the army was ordered in by Temer, who is fighting for his political life after being placed under a corruption investigat­ion.

The deployment of soldiers sent a psychologi­cal shockwave through a capital already shaking from the day’s violence and frantic debate over the corruption scandal threatenin­g to bring down the president. In the lower house of Congress, the session was temporaril­y suspended after leftist deputies took over the speaker’s podium, brandishin­g signs saying “Temer out”.

Troops are regularly used in Brazil to back up police when law and order breaks down or help at major events like last year’s Rio Olympics. (AFP)

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